Current Affairs 14 February 2026

Current Affairs 14 February 2026

1. Recent archaeological research suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization may be much older than people thought. New radiocarbon dating from the Bhirrana site in northern India suggests that people may have been living there in organized groups for almost 8,000 years. If this is true, it would mean that it started long before the time of Egypt’s first pharaohs, which could change long-held ideas about the order of ancient civilizations.

Recent archaeological research has shown that the Indus Valley Civilization may be much older than people think. New radiocarbon dating from the Bhirana site in northern India suggests that people may have lived there in organized groups for nearly 8,000 years. If this is true, it means that it began long before the time of Egypt’s first pharaohs, which could change long-held views about the order of ancient civilizations.

2. The Philippine eagle, or Pithecophaga jefferyi, is one of the biggest and strongest birds of prey on the planet. It is a national symbol of the Philippines and is often called the “monkey-eating bird.” The species is now Critically Endangered, though, and there are thought to be fewer than 500 adult individuals left in the wild.

The Philippine eagle, or Pithecophaga jefferi, is one of the largest and strongest birds of prey on the planet. It is the national symbol of the Philippines and is often called the “monkey-eating bird”. However, the species is now critically endangered and there are believed to be fewer than 500 adults left in the wild.

3. The Union Cabinet has given the go-ahead for a big infrastructure project that will include India’s first underwater rail and road tunnel under the Brahmaputra River. The greenfield corridor, which is 33.7 kilometers long, will link Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam. It is expected to cost ₹18,662 crore. The project, which is being done under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, aims to improve connectivity across the Northeast.

The Union Cabinet has approved a major infrastructure project including India’s first underwater rail and road tunnel under the Brahmaputra River. The 33.7 km long greenfield corridor will connect Gohpur on National Highway-15 with Numaligarh on National Highway-715 in Assam. An expenditure of Rs. 18,662 crore is expected for this. The project, to be undertaken under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, aims to improve connectivity in the North East.

4. The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved another new type of oral polio vaccine, type 2 (nOPV2). This makes the global effort to get rid of poliomyelitis even stronger. The decision lets United Nations agencies, like UNICEF, buy the vaccine and give it out for immunization campaigns all over the world.
Prequalification makes sure that the vaccine meets international standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness, which makes it easier to use in large public health programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved another new type of oral polio vaccine, type 2 (nOPV2). This strengthens the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis. The decision allows United Nations agencies such as UNICEF to purchase the vaccine and provide it for vaccination campaigns around the world.
Prequalification ensures that the vaccine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy, facilitating its use in large public health programs. 5. The Indian Army will host the first International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 from February 18 to 23 in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The Ministry of Defense said that the event will bring together military teams from India and friendly foreign countries for a week of tough adventure and endurance competitions.
IMACC 2026 is meant to test soldiers’ basic skills, like their physical fitness, mental toughness, ability to work as a team, ability to lead, and ability to make decisions under pressure in difficult mountain terrain. The Defense Ministry said the event will bring together Indian and allied military teams for a week of grueling adventure and endurance competitions. 6. On February 14, 2026, the Ministry of Women and Child Development will hold the “National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (SHe-Box)” at Vigyan Bhawan. The goal of the conference is to show that the government is serious about making sure that all workplaces are safe, respectful, and free of harassment. It also aims to improve the enforcement of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013.Union Minister Annpurna Devi and Minister of State Savitri Thakur will be there, along with high-ranking officials from Central Ministries, States and Union Territories, representatives from Internal and Local Committees, international organizations, industry leaders, and civil society.

On 14 February 2026, the Ministry of Women and Child Development will organize “National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (SHe-Box)” at Vigyan Bhavan. The conference aims to demonstrate that the government is serious about ensuring that all workplaces are safe, respectful and free from harassment. The conference also aims to improve the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention, Prevention and Redressal) Act, 2013. Union Minister Annapurna Devi and Minister of State Savitri Thakur will be attended by senior officials of Union Ministries, States and Union Territories, representatives of internal and local committees, international organizations, industry leaders and representatives of civil society.

7. On February 13, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu opened an All-India Conference in New Delhi and started the Brahma Kumaris’ nationwide campaign “Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat.” She also started the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram, which is where it all began.
The President spoke to the crowd and stressed how important it is to combine moral values ​​and spirituality with material progress to make sure the country develops in a balanced and complete way. On 13 February 2026, President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the All India Conference in New Delhi and launched the nationwide campaign of Brahma Kumaris called “Karmayoga for a strong India”. He also inaugurated the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Om Shanti Retreat Center in Gurugram, where it all began.
The President interacted with the crowd and emphasized on the importance of linking moral values ​​and spirituality with material progress for balanced and holistic development of the country. 8. The Supreme Court has ruled that eligible Armed Forces personnel can get full back disability pension payments from the applicable cut-off dates—January 1, 1996, or January 1, 2006—without being limited to a three-year period. This is a huge relief for thousands of ex-servicemen.The Court made it clear that disability pension is not a gift, but a way to honor those who have served their country. It said that once a person has the right to a disability pension, they must get it from the date it became due.

The Supreme Court ruled that eligible armed forces personnel can receive full disability pension payments from the applicable cut-off date – January 1, 1996 or January 1, 2006 – but not limited to a period of three years. This is a big relief for thousands of ex-servicemen. The court clarified that disability pension is not a gift, but a way of honoring those who have served the country. It states that once a person is entitled to disability pension, it must be received from the due date.